Journalism
Qualifications
Overview
The Graduate Diploma in Journalism is an intensive one-year programme aimed at preparing graduates for a career in print, broadcast, and online journalism and other communication industries. You will receive intensive training in media ethics and law, newsgathering and writing, research and analysis, and multimedia reporting. It requires total commitment – at least 30 hours a week – but you will be well prepared for the real world of journalism.
UC also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Journalism for students to carry out an original research thesis on an aspect of journalism.
Graduates are highly competent and multi-skilled professionals who will think critically about their work, and who care about standards and ethical issues. Many guest lecturers are professional journalists and contribute to the stimulating environment essential for students to build reflective journalism practice.
Intensive practical training
Journalism study at UC gives you intensive practical training within an intellectually stimulating framework to foster analysis of the news media and the deeper issues affecting journalists. Students within the GradDipJour will report for local newsrooms and contribute to a range of news media throughout the year, including broadcasting live to air on the local radio station RDU. Mid-year, you will be placed in newsrooms around Te Waipounamu South Island and, later in the year, you will be placed in newsrooms around the country for a capstone internship.
Scholarships
There are a number of Journalism scholarships on offer at UC, including awards funding travel overseas to research news media.
For the Graduate Diploma in Journalism, students must have completed a bachelor’s degree, and the programme welcomes graduates from all disciplines.
Students are required to complete an application form and attend a formal interview before selections are made. Selection takes into account a number of factors, notably evidence that the applicant has a realistic understanding of the workplace and possible career paths, and a sense of vocation about journalism.
More information on the application process is available from the Journalism programme website.
For entry to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Journalism, students must have completed an honours degree with First or Second Class Honours, or a master's degree with Distinction, in a related discipline.
Journalism graduates start their careers in newspaper, radio, TV, and online newsrooms, as well as in media roles such as social media managers, online producers, and communications advisors.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
Contact us
Te Kura Mātāpuna Tangata | School of Language, Social and Political Sciences
Phone +64 3 369 0742
Email journalism@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 6, Elsie Locke Building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Kaupeka Toi Tangata | Faculty of Arts
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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